The end of the most recent Minnesota legislative session brought many new changes. With environmental policy being of significant concern, various laws about solar energy were passed, including changes to homeowner associations’ role in deciding if a residential property can go solar.
After a busy legislative session, there is good news for Minnesota homeowners that want to choose solar energy. One of the highly anticipated laws that passed now mandates that HOAs in Minnesota cannot block a property from installing solar panels on the roof. This change took effect on July 1, 2023. With an estimated 583,462 homes in Minnesota belonging to an HOA, this means many more people could potentially make the switch to solar who had previously been denied the opportunity from the start.
Alongside this law, there were others passed that are helping to increase accessibility to solar energy in Minnesota. A number of improvements are coming to the state’s largest utility provider, Xcel Energy, with goals to improve solar distribution and increase funding for programs that incentivize their Minnesota Xcel customers to go solar. Additional funding has also been given to organizations working to improve the clean energy economy in the state.
Beyond the great news of these changes towards more environmentally friendly energy usage, Minnesota has already been leading the way in the midwest for solar accessibly. Various utility companies offer solar incentives and net metering to help customers go solar, including Minnesota Power, Dakota County Electric Association, Rochester Public Utilities, and Shakopee Public Utilities to name a few, though most programs are first come, first served with a defined annual budget.
A number of Minnesota cities and counties already offer credits and rebates to those who go solar, and the push towards increasing solar energy will hopefully lead to more solar incentives in the future. By continuing to support and advocate for solar energy in Minnesota, we are making clean energy solutions more accessible throughout the state.
It’s worth noting that these solar rebates and credits can be stacked together to create substantial savings to help with solar installation. Additionally, they can all be used in combination with the 30 percent federal solar tax credit incentive for which most Minnesota residents can qualify.
Want to know if it makes financial sense for you to switch to solar? Get a FREE solar quote from All Energy Solar and start reaping the rewards of the sun. Our solar experts are ready to help you through the entire process of going solar, including finding out what incentives for which you are qualified.
To learn more about Minnesota solar, view our website to access helpful resources such as blog posts, infographics, videos, and more. And follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn so you can stay updated about solar energy news in Minnesota.
